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The Saga of Darren Shan #1-3
Willkommen in der Welt der Vampire
Ich ließ den Blick noch einmal an dem gruseligen Gebäude hinaufwandern und schluckte. Es sah genauso aus wie die Häuser in den Horrorfilmen. Wir blickten uns an und wussten beide, dass wir schreckliche Angst hatten, aber wenigstens waren wir zusammen. »Gehen wir rein?«, fragte Steve. Darren ist ein ganz normaler Teenager, bis zu dem Tag, als ein geheimnisvoller Mitternachtszirkus in die Stadt kommt. Seine nächtliche Vorstellung hat ungeahnte Folgen, denn Darren muss ein großes Opfer bringen – und zum Halbvampir werden! An der Seite seines neuen Lehrmeisters Mr. Crepsley entdeckt Darren eine dunkle, unheimliche, faszinierende Welt, findet neue Freunde und muss sich ungeahnten Abenteuern stellen … Dieses Buch enthält die ersten drei Abenteuer von Darren Shans dunkler Vampirsaga: DER MITTERNACHTSZIRKUS DIE FREUNDE DER NACHT DIE DUNKLE STADT
544 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
139 people are currently reading
2650 people want to read
About the author
Darren Shan
248 books8,303 followersLibrarian's note: Also writes books for adults under the name Darren Dash. And in the past he has released books for adults under the names D.B. Shan and Darren O'Shaughnessy.
Darren Shan (born July 2, 1972 in London, England) is the pen name of the Irish author Darren O'Shaughnessy, as well as the name of the protagonist of his book series The Saga of Darren Shan, also known as The Cirque Du Freak Series in the United States. He is the author of the series The Demonata, The Saga of Larten Crepsley, and Zom-B. He has also released the stand-alone novel, The Thin Executioner, and the stand-alone short novels, Koyasan, and Hagurosan. Plus, for adults, he released The City Trilogy (originally under the name of D.B. Shan), and Lady of the Shades..
Darren Shan (born July 2, 1972 in London, England) is the pen name of the Irish author Darren O'Shaughnessy, as well as the name of the protagonist of his book series The Saga of Darren Shan, also known as The Cirque Du Freak Series in the United States. He is the author of the series The Demonata, The Saga of Larten Crepsley, and Zom-B. He has also released the stand-alone novel, The Thin Executioner, and the stand-alone short novels, Koyasan, and Hagurosan. Plus, for adults, he released The City Trilogy (originally under the name of D.B. Shan), and Lady of the Shades..
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
April 29, 2022
4 ( mi yo adolescente de 14-15-16 años)
Este fue uno de estos libros que mi madre me regaló cuando estaba en la fiebre crepúsculera y no paraba de leer historias de vampiros. Recuerdo que me enganchó muchísimo y justamente estrenaron película al poco tiempo después ( eso sí a mi pueblo no llegó, pero da igual la película era mala con ganas). Sin embargo, fue una historia entretenida, me mantuvo en vilo y pasé buenas tardes y noches leyéndolo. Eso sí, acabo de enterarme que había 6 libros más repartidos en estas ediciones y en mi pueblo de nuevo nunca llegó. Me he propuesto relerlos, seguro que bajo la puntuación pero me lo tomaré como si fuese un libro juvenil y ligero y todo irá mejor.
Este fue uno de estos libros que mi madre me regaló cuando estaba en la fiebre crepúsculera y no paraba de leer historias de vampiros. Recuerdo que me enganchó muchísimo y justamente estrenaron película al poco tiempo después ( eso sí a mi pueblo no llegó, pero da igual la película era mala con ganas). Sin embargo, fue una historia entretenida, me mantuvo en vilo y pasé buenas tardes y noches leyéndolo. Eso sí, acabo de enterarme que había 6 libros más repartidos en estas ediciones y en mi pueblo de nuevo nunca llegó. Me he propuesto relerlos, seguro que bajo la puntuación pero me lo tomaré como si fuese un libro juvenil y ligero y todo irá mejor.
October 16, 2014
First, let me just put it out there that Darren Shan is da man!
I freaking LOVE LOVE LOVE The Saga of Darren Shan.
I read the books when I was 15 I think, I recall some of it made me laugh, cry, get angry and upset, while reading others I felt shocked, disgusted, horrified, and at one point I felt horribly sad and depressed because of the feels in these books...
Starting with the first book...
It was fun, exciting, fresh, unique. So very different from the YA novels I'm used to. I love the characters made up of circus performers, they intrigued me and I remembered feeling jealous of Darren because I wished I could meet them too, especially the legendary Larten Crepsleywho btw has his own series mind you. A mentor to poor Darren, the reluctant fledgling vampire.
Enough about me gushing already, if you like adventure books mixed with paranormal spooky stuff, creepy vampires, sassy characters, mystery and magic, make sure to check out this series. It's going to be awesome.
I freaking LOVE LOVE LOVE The Saga of Darren Shan.
I read the books when I was 15 I think, I recall some of it made me laugh, cry, get angry and upset, while reading others I felt shocked, disgusted, horrified, and at one point I felt horribly sad and depressed because of the feels in these books...
Starting with the first book...
It was fun, exciting, fresh, unique. So very different from the YA novels I'm used to. I love the characters made up of circus performers, they intrigued me and I remembered feeling jealous of Darren because I wished I could meet them too, especially the legendary Larten Crepsley
Enough about me gushing already, if you like adventure books mixed with paranormal spooky stuff, creepy vampires, sassy characters, mystery and magic, make sure to check out this series. It's going to be awesome.
May 6, 2022
این یه زنگ تفریح بی نظیره!
فضای کتابا فانتزی کودکانه_نوجوانانست و شبیه زنگ تفریح میمونه!
کتاب اول:۴ از ۵
کتاب دوم:۴ از۵
کتاب سوم ۳از۵
امتیاز کلی ۳.۵
فضای کتابا فانتزی کودکانه_نوجوانانست و شبیه زنگ تفریح میمونه!
کتاب اول:۴ از ۵
کتاب دوم:۴ از۵
کتاب سوم ۳از۵
امتیاز کلی ۳.۵
May 17, 2022
I haven’t read these in y e a r s but man these are fun! Because they’re written for a middle grade audience they’re super quick to read but the plots are still really fun and spooky. It’s also more gory than I remember but this just makes it better to read as an adult really, I had a lot of fun!
July 4, 2020
جلد یکش برای من تو سن راهنمای خیلی خیلی اثرگذار بود.
بطور کل انقدر زیبا و دقیق دنیای اشباح در دنیای انسان ها ساخته شده که کاملا باورپذیره و بعد تبدیل شدن دارن و همراهی با لارتن و دیگر ماجراها
و سیرک عجایب دوست داشتنی و عجیب!
بطور کل انقدر زیبا و دقیق دنیای اشباح در دنیای انسان ها ساخته شده که کاملا باورپذیره و بعد تبدیل شدن دارن و همراهی با لارتن و دیگر ماجراها
و سیرک عجایب دوست داشتنی و عجیب!
November 18, 2009
As I read the first of these three volumes, my initial two thoughts were (1) Snakes are not slimy and (2) I don't really like Darren's character very much--and this bugged me. Now that I've finished these three stories, I have to admit that I ended up liking Darren's character after all and enjoyed the story--and, book 3 left me wanting more. Is Evra safe? Will Darren see his family again? Steve? Debbie? Does Mr. Crepsley rejoin the Generals? What about the Little People? Is Lefty a friend? Long and short? I was pulled in.
December 4, 2018
خب خب !
! این داستان ما از عاطفه و سرویس مدرسه(محل جابه جایی کتاب) شروع میشه
عاشق یازده جلدش بودم به جز جلد اخر و اون مردک کوتوله که این پسره شخصیت اصلی رو که فکر کنم تو کتابم اسمش دارن بود شبیه اون موجودات سبز که همیشه ماسک روصورتشون بود کرد!
جز معدود کتابایی که داستانش بعداز شیش هفت سال یادمه !
! این داستان ما از عاطفه و سرویس مدرسه(محل جابه جایی کتاب) شروع میشه
عاشق یازده جلدش بودم به جز جلد اخر و اون مردک کوتوله که این پسره شخصیت اصلی رو که فکر کنم تو کتابم اسمش دارن بود شبیه اون موجودات سبز که همیشه ماسک روصورتشون بود کرد!
جز معدود کتابایی که داستانش بعداز شیش هفت سال یادمه !
May 20, 2017
با اینکه یه کم دز اتفاقات توی داستان از اونی که در خاطرم بود پایین تر بود اما همچنان پرچمش بالاس!
December 17, 2019
Me llamaba la atención el argumento, pero no estaba segura de si este libro me iba a gustar. Pero me ha encantado, la lectura se hace super ligera y siempre te dan ganas de leer el capítulo siguiente. Además, me he reído con el libro, los personajes me parecen super carismáticos, peculiares y graciosos, y aunq no han cumplido mi shippeo principal (cosa habitual para mí) tengo pequeñas esperanzas de q en libros siguientes se cumpla mi shippeo, aunq sé q es difícil. Otro tema q no me convencía era el de los vampiros, pero el autor lo ha sabido llevar de una manera muy diferente, jamás lo relacionarás con otro libro en el q aparezcan vampiros
July 21, 2020
No sé cómo empezar esta reseña por que definitivamente este es uno de los mejores libros de mi 2020.
Pero como exagerada se nace, voy a comenzarla.
Darren Shan es un joven normal, con una buena familia y un grupo tranquilo de amigos. Tiene un extra fascinación por las arañas y es un buen estudiantes y deportista. Aunque nada de esto no importa mucho, porque eso va a cambiar a raiz de un error que el comete.
Esta historia se encuentra dividida en 3 libros, que son súper agiles para la lectura, tiene capítulos súper cortos que te dejan con la intriga para seguir leyendo. Cada libro relata algún gran suceso en la vida de Darren.
Siguiendo con la reseña, la historia en si arranca cuando Darren junto con su mejor amigo Steve Leopard van al circo de los extraños. Darren por diversas razones se convierte en medio vampiro o como le dicen ellos en vampiro a medias.
*Comienza el spoiler* a partir de acá ya les voy a contar lo que ocurre en el libro, lo anterior se encuentra en la sinopsis.
En el segundo libro vemos a Darren formando parte de Circo de los Extraños y conocemos a Ezra Von, un chico serpiente (me encanto este personaje) también se presentan varios compañeros del circo con sus singularidades.
Ocurren ciertas acciones que llevan a una tragedia que marca a Darren para el resto del libro.
Pasando al 3er libro conocemos a un vampanez conocidos como Murlough, el cual los mantiene entretenidos con su accionar de villano obviamente.
Y para terminar el libro forma parte de una saga, pero tiene esos finales abiertos que también funcionan como final.
Pero como exagerada se nace, voy a comenzarla.
Darren Shan es un joven normal, con una buena familia y un grupo tranquilo de amigos. Tiene un extra fascinación por las arañas y es un buen estudiantes y deportista. Aunque nada de esto no importa mucho, porque eso va a cambiar a raiz de un error que el comete.
Esta historia se encuentra dividida en 3 libros, que son súper agiles para la lectura, tiene capítulos súper cortos que te dejan con la intriga para seguir leyendo. Cada libro relata algún gran suceso en la vida de Darren.
Siguiendo con la reseña, la historia en si arranca cuando Darren junto con su mejor amigo Steve Leopard van al circo de los extraños. Darren por diversas razones se convierte en medio vampiro o como le dicen ellos en vampiro a medias.
*Comienza el spoiler* a partir de acá ya les voy a contar lo que ocurre en el libro, lo anterior se encuentra en la sinopsis.
En el segundo libro vemos a Darren formando parte de Circo de los Extraños y conocemos a Ezra Von, un chico serpiente (me encanto este personaje) también se presentan varios compañeros del circo con sus singularidades.
Ocurren ciertas acciones que llevan a una tragedia que marca a Darren para el resto del libro.
Pasando al 3er libro conocemos a un vampanez conocidos como Murlough, el cual los mantiene entretenidos con su accionar de villano obviamente.
Y para terminar el libro forma parte de una saga, pero tiene esos finales abiertos que también funcionan como final.
February 20, 2020
Presentado como una historia casi infantil, te aseguro que el primer libro está muy lejos de serlo.Espeluznante, con unas situaciones grotescas que me encantaron. Nada que ver su versión cinematográfica donde desaparecieron gran parte de las muertes y de los personajes más terribles. Excelente libro. Pero siendo una saga tan extensa está inconclusa en español U_U
November 28, 2020
بیشتر ۲/۵ ولی مهربانانه ۳
June 7, 2021
Entertaining but the main character is a very irritating kid. I was hoping the vampire would eat him!
April 23, 2025
1ste keer gelezen in 2011.
2de keer gelezen in 2025.
Het plot van boek 1 kon ik me nog erg goed herinneren, dus was het minder interessant om te lezen. Boek 2 en 3 gingen dan weer wel erg vlot, omdat ik benieuwd was naar de gebeurtenissen.
Ben erg blij dat ik heb besloten om deze reeks opnieuw te lezen. Het voelt als thuis komen.
2de keer gelezen in 2025.
Het plot van boek 1 kon ik me nog erg goed herinneren, dus was het minder interessant om te lezen. Boek 2 en 3 gingen dan weer wel erg vlot, omdat ik benieuwd was naar de gebeurtenissen.
Ben erg blij dat ik heb besloten om deze reeks opnieuw te lezen. Het voelt als thuis komen.
September 23, 2018
¡Hola hola! ahora si vamos con la reseña de este libro xD
Lo primero que deben ya saber es que ESTE ejemplar en particular contiene los 3 primeros libros de la saga de "El circo de los extraños" ignoro si lo hicieron así por la película o porque les pareció mejor unirlos y ya.
El caso y a lo que vamos, como pueden ver por las estrellas, el libro me gusto y bastante, y si, fue uno de esos que salieron por allá cuando el boom de Harry Potter y Crepúsculo y creo que en parte busca como sacar algo de ambas cosas (no, gracias a quien sea aquí ningún vampiro brilla).
Pero tampoco son vampiros malos malosos que solo quieren chupar sangre, de hecho si bien el Sr. Crepsley es bastante... ¿huraño? y casi no se comunica con Darren salvo cuando lo "convence" de volverse su ayudante, es bastante leal y con sus principios bastante claros.
¡PERO!
Sigo pensando que el personaje que mejor me cayó al menos de momento es sin duda Evra, el chico serpiente es demasiado genial aun cuando Darren se pone medio pesado en algunas partes.
Vamos que definitivamente me encantaría seguir con esta saga y la recomiendo si quieres leer algo de vampiros pero sin que estos sean monstruos chupa sangres (aunque si beben sangre) ni emos que brillan.
July 8, 2018
I have read the first 2 books in Estonian but I remembered little, so it was nice to re-read it and also to read further. The story has its charm but you can never be certain that the story is happy...It isn't exactly sad or scary either and it's easy to read. I like it.
July 17, 2015
I watched the movie The Vampire’s Assistant years ago. And honestly, I can’t remember much from it besides the bare bones. However I remember finding the idea interesting and when I found the bind-up of the first three books of the series at Boekenfestijn, I instantly grabbed it.
The overall idea of the world of Cirque Du Freak is solid. It moves away from the stereotypical vampire within mainstream media without losing the essence. That a vampire is a predator. I also mostly enjoy the freak show, though sometimes I wished more was done with that. However there are plenty more books in this series. The plot in the first book is a tad wonky, and overall the plot in the first three books do rely heavily in places on not communicating with other people. If some actually talked and were honest, some of the issues would not have occurred. I do appreciate how the author doesn’t shy away from heavier topics, like the funeral at the end of the first book. Plenty of authors would have skipped past that part, especially in middle grade.
I have to say that I am glad I got the bind-up and that I read it all right after each other. The books themselves are short. I think they are ideal for the target group, middle grade. I do wish that in the second book the prologue had not been such a summary of the first book and that the first chapter had not been in third point of view. The rest of the book, and the other books, are in first point of view. It didn’t add a whole lot either.
The characters are okay. Darren, the main character, I liked initially in the first part of the first book, but with the events in the second half of that book I lost some respect for him because of the decisions he made. However it does show him as a flawed character. Throughout these first three books you do see him grow. This especially shows in the third book. He knows more about being a (half) vampire and doesn’t need to rely as heavily on Mr. Crepsley.
I have not decided how I feel about Mr. Crepsley. He’s a bit of a grumpy vampire, and especially in the first book, not all that likeable. I quite enjoy Ezra’s character. He evens out Darren.
There are plenty of characters to explore in the next few books, and I can see some possible story lines with them with the hints we’ve been given so far. I think this is an excellent middle grade book for children that love a bit of horror and macabre.
The overall idea of the world of Cirque Du Freak is solid. It moves away from the stereotypical vampire within mainstream media without losing the essence. That a vampire is a predator. I also mostly enjoy the freak show, though sometimes I wished more was done with that. However there are plenty more books in this series. The plot in the first book is a tad wonky, and overall the plot in the first three books do rely heavily in places on not communicating with other people. If some actually talked and were honest, some of the issues would not have occurred. I do appreciate how the author doesn’t shy away from heavier topics, like the funeral at the end of the first book. Plenty of authors would have skipped past that part, especially in middle grade.
I have to say that I am glad I got the bind-up and that I read it all right after each other. The books themselves are short. I think they are ideal for the target group, middle grade. I do wish that in the second book the prologue had not been such a summary of the first book and that the first chapter had not been in third point of view. The rest of the book, and the other books, are in first point of view. It didn’t add a whole lot either.
The characters are okay. Darren, the main character, I liked initially in the first part of the first book, but with the events in the second half of that book I lost some respect for him because of the decisions he made. However it does show him as a flawed character. Throughout these first three books you do see him grow. This especially shows in the third book. He knows more about being a (half) vampire and doesn’t need to rely as heavily on Mr. Crepsley.
I have not decided how I feel about Mr. Crepsley. He’s a bit of a grumpy vampire, and especially in the first book, not all that likeable. I quite enjoy Ezra’s character. He evens out Darren.
There are plenty of characters to explore in the next few books, and I can see some possible story lines with them with the hints we’ve been given so far. I think this is an excellent middle grade book for children that love a bit of horror and macabre.
May 12, 2010
Superb!! I totally love the first three series of The Darren Shan Saga a.k.a. Vampire Blood. What I like the most is that the author is Darren Shan himself. Well, maybe it is the twist of his own life journal but I found it rather amusing and a bit neat.
There are few interesting facts about vampires in the series.
1) Vampires are immortals. But they don't live forever as they will die eventually. Vampire's aging 1 year in 10 years of human world. So I guess if I'm 100, then he's only 10. Wow. While half-vamp is 1 in 5 human years.
2) Vampire don't have fangs. Face the truth people. They only slit the throat open with their nail and sucked the blood in a small dose in order to survive.
3) They can and they have to eat regular human food to survive. A vampire that live only on blood are vampenenze and they slaughtered the victims. But, they are loyal and can be trusted. Keep their promise more than anything.
4) Cirque Du Freak has incredible people. I wish I could watch it my self. =)
That is actually some of awesome facts I found. In this book, I didn't see any spectacular writing, the thing that drew me in was the plot. The whole thing was near perfect. However, I just love it as it is now. If I were 15, this would be my best read EVER for this year! I love Harry Potter and I love Darren Shan too!I never read Percy Jackson yet, but i know I will collect this series. I know my review doesn't give much this time because I love the book. I am not a horror book fan but this one is different.
I give this book 5 stars because of it's incredible imagination. Also, there's some cool actions from the characters. I highly recommend this book to any person who loves a good vampire story. And whoever love Harry Potter, R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike!
There are few interesting facts about vampires in the series.
1) Vampires are immortals. But they don't live forever as they will die eventually. Vampire's aging 1 year in 10 years of human world. So I guess if I'm 100, then he's only 10. Wow. While half-vamp is 1 in 5 human years.
2) Vampire don't have fangs. Face the truth people. They only slit the throat open with their nail and sucked the blood in a small dose in order to survive.
3) They can and they have to eat regular human food to survive. A vampire that live only on blood are vampenenze and they slaughtered the victims. But, they are loyal and can be trusted. Keep their promise more than anything.
4) Cirque Du Freak has incredible people. I wish I could watch it my self. =)
That is actually some of awesome facts I found. In this book, I didn't see any spectacular writing, the thing that drew me in was the plot. The whole thing was near perfect. However, I just love it as it is now. If I were 15, this would be my best read EVER for this year! I love Harry Potter and I love Darren Shan too!I never read Percy Jackson yet, but i know I will collect this series. I know my review doesn't give much this time because I love the book. I am not a horror book fan but this one is different.
I give this book 5 stars because of it's incredible imagination. Also, there's some cool actions from the characters. I highly recommend this book to any person who loves a good vampire story. And whoever love Harry Potter, R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike!
February 29, 2012
This teen book about a young English boy who visits the Cirque Du Freak and ends up a vampire's assistant was ok. It was written for teens and should only be read by teens.
The saga of Darren Shan is told in first person. The author does a great job channeling the thoughts, logic, and behavior of a young teen boy.
As an adult reader, it is infuriating but as a pre-teen it is probably perfect and more realistic.
A quick summary:
Darren Shan is a middle school boy. His friend finds a flyer advertising Cirque Du Freak, an illegal 'freak show'. This show changes everyone's life. His friend recognizes one of the performers as a vampire, begs to be changed to a vampire, is rejected then vows to be a vampire hunter. The next thing you know, Darren becomes a vampire's assistant. The end of part one has Darren leaving town and his friend Steve vowing to follow him to the end of the Earth to kill him. Funny thing--Steve is never, ever mentioned again. So much for that threat. Another thing--why do we need to know that Mr Crepsley went by another name? That is not explained either.
Part two is about Darren making a friend. Yeah for him. Darren and his mentor re-join the Cirque so that Darren can have a friend. There is lots of talk of the Little People and Mr. Tiny but no details ever emerge.
Part three is about Darren, Evra, and Mr Crepsley traveling to a town, Darren getting a girlfriend, a vampaneze that is terrorizing the town (no one knows it, but he is killing humans).
Evra and Darren walk around town a lot--Evra with his scales (snake boy) and Darren in his ridiculous pirate suit--but don't do anything. Then we meet the weird vampanese. The book only gets worse. Of course Darren saves everyone in the end with his quick thinking!
The saga of Darren Shan is told in first person. The author does a great job channeling the thoughts, logic, and behavior of a young teen boy.
As an adult reader, it is infuriating but as a pre-teen it is probably perfect and more realistic.
A quick summary:
Darren Shan is a middle school boy. His friend finds a flyer advertising Cirque Du Freak, an illegal 'freak show'. This show changes everyone's life. His friend recognizes one of the performers as a vampire, begs to be changed to a vampire, is rejected then vows to be a vampire hunter. The next thing you know, Darren becomes a vampire's assistant. The end of part one has Darren leaving town and his friend Steve vowing to follow him to the end of the Earth to kill him. Funny thing--Steve is never, ever mentioned again. So much for that threat. Another thing--why do we need to know that Mr Crepsley went by another name? That is not explained either.
Part two is about Darren making a friend. Yeah for him. Darren and his mentor re-join the Cirque so that Darren can have a friend. There is lots of talk of the Little People and Mr. Tiny but no details ever emerge.
Part three is about Darren, Evra, and Mr Crepsley traveling to a town, Darren getting a girlfriend, a vampaneze that is terrorizing the town (no one knows it, but he is killing humans).
Evra and Darren walk around town a lot--Evra with his scales (snake boy) and Darren in his ridiculous pirate suit--but don't do anything. Then we meet the weird vampanese. The book only gets worse. Of course Darren saves everyone in the end with his quick thinking!
April 23, 2012
I read this book some years ago, but it stuck with me in the back of my mind, because it was so unlike anything I've ever read while I was a skinny, too-many-limbs-to-count teen.
The beginning captures your interest, first because it is written in first perspective and secondly because it actually doesn't start with a rainy evening, a clouded day or anything remotely close to what a usual paranormal book starts with - especially when it comes to vampires.
The world is well thought out and it is clear that a lot of attention has been put into the details and in how to make everything come together.
The idea of a circus is not one I have come across before and it breathes new life into a world which have slowly been taken over by whimpy vampires with no weaknesses who eats animal blood.
But, as you grow older, the books are still good and still an enjoyable read, but you'll probably notice the mistakes more.
I haven't read them in a long time, but I probably will soon and then I'll return and edit this review to match my new look on the series.
As a side note:
At least the vampires don't sparkle. Nor do they eat animal blood. Or anything else. They die from the sun and by getting a stake through the "heart".
And by throwing together a new vampire world and having a side story with a circus, Darren Shan have now moved to my independent authors shelf.
The beginning captures your interest, first because it is written in first perspective and secondly because it actually doesn't start with a rainy evening, a clouded day or anything remotely close to what a usual paranormal book starts with - especially when it comes to vampires.
The world is well thought out and it is clear that a lot of attention has been put into the details and in how to make everything come together.
The idea of a circus is not one I have come across before and it breathes new life into a world which have slowly been taken over by whimpy vampires with no weaknesses who eats animal blood.
But, as you grow older, the books are still good and still an enjoyable read, but you'll probably notice the mistakes more.
I haven't read them in a long time, but I probably will soon and then I'll return and edit this review to match my new look on the series.
As a side note:
At least the vampires don't sparkle. Nor do they eat animal blood. Or anything else. They die from the sun and by getting a stake through the "heart".
And by throwing together a new vampire world and having a side story with a circus, Darren Shan have now moved to my independent authors shelf.
October 22, 2017
This was a great compilation book of the first three in the Cirque Du Freak series. In these first three books we read about Daren becoming the vampires assistant and leaving his family to go away with the circus.
The main character is Daren, a teenage boy who after going to 'freak circus' steals a vampires spider and gets himself in trouble. That's how it all starts, his best friend gets bitten and Daren makes a deal to become the vampires assistant so that his friend is saved. The second book he makes a friend in one of the town the circus is visiting and while fighting his new urges to drink blood tries his hardest to live a normal teenage life. The third book introduces some new more deadly characters, also vampires but offers Daren a chance to get away from his vampire master if he wants.
The secondary characters are mostly the other circus performers who I'm sure we'll read more about in the future.
The storyline is superbly original and the authors writing is beyond excellent, it's almost become classical. The pacing is great also and I very much look forward to reading the next books in the series, but I can't at the minute as I've put myself on a buying ban due to lack of space on my shelves.
4 stars a great series
The main character is Daren, a teenage boy who after going to 'freak circus' steals a vampires spider and gets himself in trouble. That's how it all starts, his best friend gets bitten and Daren makes a deal to become the vampires assistant so that his friend is saved. The second book he makes a friend in one of the town the circus is visiting and while fighting his new urges to drink blood tries his hardest to live a normal teenage life. The third book introduces some new more deadly characters, also vampires but offers Daren a chance to get away from his vampire master if he wants.
The secondary characters are mostly the other circus performers who I'm sure we'll read more about in the future.
The storyline is superbly original and the authors writing is beyond excellent, it's almost become classical. The pacing is great also and I very much look forward to reading the next books in the series, but I can't at the minute as I've put myself on a buying ban due to lack of space on my shelves.
4 stars a great series
July 28, 2011
This was a great book. I want to read the next in the series! It took me a while (and when I say a while I mean it, it took me a MONTH to finally start consistently reading it) to get through the first book in this 3 in 1 because I found the main character (Darren) a bit too childish for my liking.
What with the picture of the 17-old guy on the front cover I asumed that Darren's character voice in the story would be more mature and I wasn't thrilled by his juvenile thinking. But as I got to the end of the first book I started to become more familliar and accustomed to Darren and began to like him and realised he's not ALL that childish. He's really quite brave and loyal.
One thing that does annoying a lot about this piece of writing is that there are too many exclamation marks! In every single chapter there was a setence that was punctuated with a !, so it lost it's affect.
Aside from those two things, this is a pretty good book.
What with the picture of the 17-old guy on the front cover I asumed that Darren's character voice in the story would be more mature and I wasn't thrilled by his juvenile thinking. But as I got to the end of the first book I started to become more familliar and accustomed to Darren and began to like him and realised he's not ALL that childish. He's really quite brave and loyal.
One thing that does annoying a lot about this piece of writing is that there are too many exclamation marks! In every single chapter there was a setence that was punctuated with a !, so it lost it's affect.
Aside from those two things, this is a pretty good book.
July 3, 2020
Me encontré con este libro de Darren Shan en un momento en que realmente lo necesitaba. No sé si es muy común, pero en mi caso hay ciertas épocas de hastío hacia la lectura: cuando tengo que leer tanto de la universidad que la sola posibilidad de tomar otro libro ―aunque sea de ficción― parece algo doloroso, por ejemplo. También me sucede cuando me siento culpable por estar leyendo varios libros a la vez y avanzar muy poco con cada uno de ellos, aún leyéndolos diariamente.
Aunque, ahora que lo pienso mejor, no encontré esta obra sino que la busqué deliberadamente. Había visto la película y me había parecido una historia bastante entretenida. Apenas me enteré que era una saga de libros de la que nunca había oído hasta el momento, averigüé todo...
El resto del escrito se encuentra en mi blog: https://jsaaopinionpersonal.wordpress...
Aunque, ahora que lo pienso mejor, no encontré esta obra sino que la busqué deliberadamente. Había visto la película y me había parecido una historia bastante entretenida. Apenas me enteré que era una saga de libros de la que nunca había oído hasta el momento, averigüé todo...
El resto del escrito se encuentra en mi blog: https://jsaaopinionpersonal.wordpress...
October 19, 2009
another vampire book, woot woot, lol, i absolutely LOVE this series,(even thouqh im not done), it starts off about a boy, livinq a normal live, until this circus come in time and it chanqe his life completely. he becomes a vampire assistant in exchanqe to save his friend life. he travels around the world with the circus meetinq the most extraordinary people you can thinq off. this first three books takes him to a journey unlike any othet, this is a fun and cute readinq, but its very enjoyable with lots of twists and turns.
May 30, 2010
Another Vampire story out in the book shelf! My sister and I got this book that has 3 novels in one. To be honest, I don’t think one book could stand alone. The good thing about this book however is that it is not about some forbidden love between a Vampire and mortal (thank goodness!). it is about family and friendship and how one boy (Darren Shan) can sacrifice his life to save a life of a friend and also his happiness to save his family and every one he loves. This book is light, funny and will leave you with jjust the right amount of pinch in the heart!
January 1, 2019
La verdad me ha sorprendido mucho este libro. Lo compré sin tener ni idea ya que no había visto hablar de él nunca, pero su trama (no se preocupe qué) me recordó a Teen Wolf
Es un libro precioso desde el principio a fin, con su parte divertida, romántica y sus aventuras. Amé este libro y los personajes se les cogía mucho cariño. Estoy deseando leer su segunda parte 😻
Es un libro precioso desde el principio a fin, con su parte divertida, romántica y sus aventuras. Amé este libro y los personajes se les cogía mucho cariño. Estoy deseando leer su segunda parte 😻
June 10, 2020
Es un libro que marcó mi adolescencia y le tengo un cariño enorme.
Es una historia de vampiros diferente.
Hay un circo de gente extraordinario que es algo típico.
Es un libro genial.
Es una historia de vampiros diferente.
Hay un circo de gente extraordinario que es algo típico.
Es un libro genial.
July 28, 2017
3,5 estrellas.
Una historia de vampiros algo diferente e interesante, que mejora hacia el final.
RESEÑA PENDIENTE.
Una historia de vampiros algo diferente e interesante, que mejora hacia el final.
RESEÑA PENDIENTE.
April 25, 2024
Might be a kids book but all adults should read this, it’s too good.
October 5, 2020
brilliant as always, and a perfect way to finish my reading challenge
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